Liability for medical malpractice extends beyond doctors to include other types of medical care professionals, hospitals and possibly pharmaceutical companies as well. Nurses, anesthesiologists and health care facilities may also be liable for medical malpractice. Insurance companies, of course, are also commonly involved in the process of compensating victims of medical malpractice for their damages.
Medical malpractice liability is important to understand because it can help injured victims recover compensation for the damages they have suffered because of a medical error, such as a surgical error, medication error or failure to diagnose as recently discussed on this blog. In general, the liability of a doctor or other medical care provider or hospital for medical malpractice is based on negligence. The negligence standard for medical care professionals is determined by what the standard of care for a reasonably competent medical care professional in similar circumstances would have done.
If a medical care provider falls below the standard of care, and the victims is injured as a result, the medical care provider may be liable for the victim’s physical, financial and emotional damages. In some circumstances, a hospital or other medical care provider may be liable for the negligence of their staff and employees if they provided negligent care to the victim.
Being the victim of medical malpractice can be devastating for victims who place their trust in their medical care in their doctor or other medical care provider. When that trust has been violated, and the victim has received negligent care, it is important for victims to know that they can turn to the medical malpractice legal protections available to help them with their damages.